94 
Synopsis of the Birds 
FAMILY XI. TENUIROSTRES. 
Tenuirostres, Pygarrhici , Gregarii, 111. Tenuirostres , 
Conirostres , Cuv. Latr . Anerpontes , Epopsides , VieilL 
Anerponti , Epopsipi, Ranz. Order Anisodactyli , Temm „ 
Bill elongated, or moderate, subarched, subulate-filiform, 
entire, acute, or cuneate at tip : tongue short, not extensible. 
Feet moderate ; tarsus annulated, naked ; hind toe generally 
longer and more robust than the others ; outer flattened, united 
at base to the middle one: nails long, incurved. Wings 
moderate, never acute. 
Solitary. Feed on insects, which the greatest part pick 
out from holes and fissures of trees. Build generally in hol- 
low trees, or cleft rocks, hardly constructing a nest. Some 
climb on a vertical surface with admirable facility, by means 
of their robust, acute nails. Incapable of being domesticated, 
though quite familiar when at liberty, permitting a very near 
approach. Voice unpleasant. 
Allied to the Sagittilingues by the genera Sitta, Dendro- 
colaptes, and even Certhia ; and to the iEgithali by the genus 
Sitta ; but, as a whole, connects admirably the Canori and the 
Anthomyzi. 
27. CERTHIA. 
Certhia , L. Gm. Lath. Briss . 111. Cuv. Temm . VieilL 
Ranz. 
Bill shorter than the head, arched, entire, compressed- 
trigonate, extremely slender, acute : nostrils basal, placed in 
grooves, half closed by a small membrane : tongue cartilagi- 
nous, acute and horny at tip. Feet slender; tarsus longer 
than the middle toe ; inner free and somewhat shorter than 
the outer ; hind toe more robust and longer than the others : 
nails slender, elongated, incurved, compressed, very acute; 
that of the hind toe largest. Wings short ; spurious feather 
short ; third and fourth primaries longest ; first shorter than 
